The Billie Eilish Cover That Made Luke Bryan Declare This ‘American Idol’ Singer a Lock for the Top 10

From 'not ready' to 'top 10' as Safford's Zaylie Windsor wows during American Idol Showstopper performance - The Gila Herald

Zaylie Windsor just proved Luke Bryan wrong. The 20-year-old American Idol contestant went into the showstopper round with a chip on her shoulder, after Bryan voted not to send her to Hollywood.

In response to Bryan’s “no,” Windsor decided to show off her range and performance capabilities by “really pushing myself ” with a cover of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever.”

The gamble paid off, as Windsor’s performance led to a standing ovation from Bryan, as well as fellow judges Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie.

“Wow, way to do it,” Richie praised after Windsor’s performance, with Underwood adding, “Welcome to the Zaylie show.”

Bryan, though, was the biggest stamp of approval Windsor needed. She got just that when he declared, “She has put herself definitely in the Top 10.”

Not only did Windsor earn the judges praises, but she also earned an early spot in the competition’s Top 24.

Windsor, along with three other contestants, were selected to automatically advance to that round. Forty-two other singers weren’t as lucky, as they have to compete head-to-head with duets to nab the remaining 20 spots.

Zaylie Windsor’s American Idol Audition

Bryan’s about face came after he was less than impressed with Windsor’s audition, during which she performed “The Used.” The track was an original song that she wrote when she was just 14.

While Underwood praised Windsor’s voice and artistry, Bryan had a different opinion.

“The song did certainly sound like a 14-year-old kind of level of song to me,” Bryan said. “Gosh, I don’t think she’s quite ready. I’m just trying to see if Carrie wants to fight for you or not. It’s a no from me.”

Underwood did decide to fight for Windsor based on her “Taylor Swift-esque quality.”

“She doesn’t have these giant vibrato, belty voice but there’s something in there. If she did that at 14, she must have a lot of other things in her arsenal that she could bring to the table,” Underwood said. “I would roll the dice because we do have those people who are coming in here guns a blazing with attitude, owning the stage, sucking us in. That’s the problem, but I feel like there’s something about her. My vote is yes.”

Underwood’s passionate pitch won Richie over and earned Windsor her second yes and her ticket to Hollywood Week.